Method of forming nozzles



M W a {g2 6IN2LENTOR I TTORNEYS C. B. FAIRWEATHER METHOD OF FORMING NOZZLES Filed April 1'7, 1929 April 12, 1932.

Patented Apr. 12, 1932 UNITED STATES CHARLES H. FAIR-WEATHER, OF WEST CHFSTER, PENNSYLVANIA METHOD OF FORMING NOZZLES Application filed April 17, 1929. Serial No. 355,720.

This invention relates to nozzles for boilers and similar pressure vessels and to an improved method of making the same. One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide a steel nozzle in which the metal has been worked, as by forging or press forging, but without being excessively worked.

More particularly it is an object of the invention to provide an improved nozzle with welded flange which complies with standard boiler regulations now in effect.

I also aim to roduce a nozzle which will withstand very igh pressures.

My invention also contemplates the provision of an improved method for making such nozzles.

How the foregoing, together with such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear, or are incident to my invention,

are realized, is illustrated in the accompany:

ing drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a cross section through a nozzle embodying my improvements, and

Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5 are sectional views illustrating various steps in the manufacture of the same. Referring first to the method and to Figs. 2 to 5 inclusive, I take a circular blank 9 of rolled steel plate supported suitably, and then press it into the shape of Fig. 3, which shape is approximately a cross between a pyramid and a hemisphere. It will be noted that the shape of Fig. 3 has no flange, to speak of, but has a rounded edge, as indicated at a.

I then invert the shape of Fig. 3 and support it in the position indicated in said figure, i. e., with the open face down, after which I press it into the shape indicated in Figure 4, so to speak, pressing the shape inside out. The rounded edge permits the edge portions to move or flow outwardly as the bell is turned inside out, thus producing the flange 10 with the bell portion of considerably less internal dimension than before.

A hole is now punched in the crown of the bell as indicated at 11 in dotted lines, and the shape of Fig. 4 is placed on a suitable support and subjected to a final pressin operation which produces the shape of igure 4 50 wherein there is a neck portion 12 of substantially cylindrical form connected to the flange 10 by a conical portion 13.

B first pressing the blank into the shape of lfiig. 3 and then turning it inside out, I avoid any stretching or thinning out of the wall and thus secure an even uniform flow with all portions of substantially the same thickness and strength throughout. While the metal is thus worked, it is nevertheless not excessively worked, the advantage of which will be hereinafter pointed out.

In order to provide an attaching flange for the steam line, I take a collar 14 which has an annular groove or cut back portion 15 in its upper face and slip it over the neck 12, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5, the parts being suitably supported in the relative positions shown. The upwardly projecting end portion of the neck 12 is then forge pressed to cause the metal to flow into the cut back portion 15 of the collar 14, thus providing a flange 16 of the neck 12 interlocking with the collar. It will be understood that this operation results in extreme in timacy of contact as between the neck 12 and the collar 14. In fact, it is practically a weld. For further security, particularly in cases where the finished nozzle is subjected to heating for shaping of the base flange, I weld the collar 14 to the neck, as indicated at 17, and at 18, electric wire welding being preferably employed for this purpose.

The nozzle is now complete, except for any final shaping of the base flange as may be required to suit the particular vessel to which the nozzle is to be attached.

The various pressing operations above described are carried out with the metal in the hot condition, preferably at a lemon color.

It will be seen from the foregoing that I have provided a steel nozzle which has been worked and which has all the properties of for ed steel, but which is not excessively wosxed, as would be the case were the nozzle to be forged in one piece, in which constructions the excessive working required impairs the physical properties so that the nozzle will not withstand very high pressures. As previously pointed out, the nozzle is of unlform strength and quality and wall thickness throughout, the collar 14 cannot separate and, at the same time, the construction is such that the welding rovided does not conflict; with existing 'regu ations which are rohibi- 'tory of the use'of welded parts in bo' ers and accessory equipment therefor. It will, of course, be understood that the collar 14 is of forged metal. a v I claim n 1. The method of forming a nozzle from a sheet of ductile metal, consisting of drawing the metal at the center of the sheet into bowl shape, forcing the bowl intbweverse' position, cutting an opening in the crown of p 15 said bowl, expanding the metal adjacent to I said otpening intoa neck, and securing the end 0 said neck to a ring.-

2. The method of forming a nozzle from a sheet of ductile metal, consisting of drawin the metal at the center of the sheet into bow shape without appreciably disturbing its thickness, forcing the bowl into reverse position while maintaining the same thickness, cutting an opening in the crown of said bowl, expandin the metal adjacent to said opening into a nec and securing the end of said neck to a ring.- 7 3. The method of forming a nozzle from a sheet of ductile metal, consisting of drawing the metal at the center of the sheet into bowl shape and forcing the bowl into reverse position without appreciably disturbing the thickness of the metal cutting an opening in the crown of said bowl, expanding the metal adjacent to said opening into a neck v and securing a ring to the exterior of said neck.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name. Q CHARLES B. FAIRWEATHER.

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